Transporting chemicals can present a real challenge thanks to a host of regulations, requirements, and hazards. And while these regulations and while these chemical industry requirements are beneficial, they are difficult to understand and work with.
This is why working with an experienced and qualified chemical transporter is key to ensuring hazardous chemicals’ safe and efficient transport.
What You Need to Know About Transporting Hazardous Chemicals
You shouldn’t take transporting hazardous chemicals lightly. So, you need to choose the best chemical transportation experts for this potentially dangerous task. Here’s what you need to know:
Who Is the Chemical Transporter?
You shouldn’t transport hazardous chemicals with a company you know nothing about. Instead, you need to conduct thorough research into potential logistics providers before you make a decision to make sure that they are qualified, trustworthy, and efficient.
The first thing you need to check is its reviews. Make sure that its chemical transportation services generally have positive reviews from past customers before you move forward.
What Are Their Credentials?
While positive chemical logistics reviews are useful, appropriate credentials are a vital component of choosing a chemical transporter. This is because not just anyone can transport hazardous chemicals on the road. Instead, carriers are required to have a permit under the Federal Hazardous Materials Safety Permit Program.
A permit for the transportation of hazardous materials and chemicals under this program is required under the following conditions:
- When transporting a highway route-controlled quantity of Class 7 (radioactive) material
- For chemical transportation shipments of more than 25 kg (55 pounds) of Division 1.1, 1.2, or 1.3 (explosive) material or an amount of division 1.5 (explosive) material requiring placarding under 49 CFR 172
- When transporting more than 1 liter per package or a “material poisonous by inhalation,” that meets the criteria for “Hazard Zone A”
- When transporting a “material poisonous by inhalation” that meets the criteria for “Hazard Zone B” in bulk packaging with a capacity greater than 460 liters or 119 gallons
- When transporting a “material poisonous by inhalation” that meets the criteria for “Hazard Zone C,” or “Hazard Zone D,” in a packaging with a capacity greater than 13,248 liters or 3,500 gallons
- When transporting compressed or refrigerated liquified methane or liquefied natural gas, or other liquified natural gas with a methane content of at least 85%, in bulk packaging with a capacity greater than or equal to 13,248 liters or 3,500 gallons
What Are Their Services?
The next thing you need to look into is the services offered to make sure that they actually meet your needs. For instance:
- Are they able to offer efficient or expedited shipping times?
- Are they able to offer GPS tracking for your shipment?
- Are they able to offer on-time delivery guarantees?
These are all things that need to be considered.
Are They Insured?
Insurance is another important component when choosing a chemical transporter. Make sure that they have coverage to protect their shipments in the event of an accident, other damage, or spoilage during transit.
Looking Into Accident History
You also need to look into accident history. Make sure that they have a safe driving record with limited accidents to give you the piece of mind you need while transporting such precious and hazardous cargo.
Affiliation and Knowledge of the DOT
Finally, you need to make sure that your chemical transporter has affiliation and knowledge of the Department of Transportation (DOT) as well as its regulations and hazardous materials regulations.
These requirements can be lengthy and detailed, so working with certified carriers who have in-depth knowledge and experience of the federal regulations on the transport of chemicals is essential.
Precautions for Transporting Chemicals and Proper Storage
Transporting chemicals safely is a joint effort between the transporter and the shipper. On the part of the shipper, chemicals need to be stored and packaged properly prior to transit. On the part of the transporter, chemicals need to be transported safely and efficiently while meeting all DOT requirements.
Here are some key precautions to keep in mind to ensure that you’re transporting from facilities and storing chemicals in warehouses safely:
Avoid Transporting Hazardous Chemicals With Food
Hazardous chemicals should not be transported with food in any circumstance. This is because hazardous chemicals could potentially spill or leak out of their containers and easily contaminate the food in the shipment.
Sometimes this cross-contamination is obvious. Other times it is nearly impossible to tell. For this reason, it’s best to eliminate this possibility altogether by shipping these items separately.
Follow the Dangerous Goods Segregation Rules for Carrying Mixed Classes of Hazardous Chemicals
Additionally, you need to make sure to follow the Dangerous Goods Segregation Rules for carrying mixed classes of hazardous chemicals. Unsurprisingly, some chemicals don’t react well to each other.
Just think about the phrase “oil and water” — but worse. Thankfully, there are rules and regulations dictating what chemicals can be carried together and with what precautions.
Here are some general guidelines to follow:
- Hazardous materials of the same class can usually be transported together
- Strong acids should generally not be transported with a strong alkali
- Class 4.3 materials should be separated from all containers of aqueous solutions
- Class 6.1 toxic substances should be separated from all foods and feces
- Class 9 dangerous goods are generally deemed compatible with all other dangerous goods
Secure Chemicals Against Movement on Transportation Vehicles
During transit, secure all hazardous chemicals so that they do not move around. Movement not only causes spillage, but the movement also agitates sensitive substances and causes undesired reactions.
For this reason, make sure that all containers are securely tied down and sealed.
Keep a Record of the Substances You Are Carrying
When transporting hazardous chemicals, it’s necessary to keep a thorough and accurate record of all the substances and mode of transportation. These records must include information about the manufacture, fabrication, marking, maintenance, reconditioning, repair, testing, or transport modes of the substances.
Confirm You Have the Required Signs and Proper Labeling (Placards and Markings)
Placarding and marking are the responsibility of the carrier when transporting hazardous chemicals. The requirements for placarding are detailed and intricate, but here are some general guidelines:
- Each bulk packaging, freight container, unit load device, or transport vehicle with hazardous materials must be placarded on each side and each end
- Placards may be displayed for hazardous material, even when not required if the placarding otherwise conforms to the requirements
- For a placard corresponding to the primary or subsidiary hazard class of a material, the hazard class or division number must be displayed in the lower corner of the placard
Have an Emergency Team of Specialized People
DOT regulations dictate that there must be an emergency response team of specialized people available in the event of an issue during the shipment. There must be an emergency response telephone number monitored at all times; the use of beepers, answering machines, and switchboards are not acceptable.
The person monitoring the phone number must be capable of providing safety information on the material in question. Finally, there must also be written emergency response information included with the shipment.
Include a Method of Corrosion Control in Roads and Rail Transport
The carrier should have a hazmat kit on hand in the event of a spill of corrosive acids, solvents, or other “aggressive” chemicals. The carrier should also know how to properly use this hazmat kit depending on what kind of chemical is spilled.
Conclusion
Finding a company that safely transports hazardous chemicals is challenging if you don’t know where and what to look for. Thankfully, RPM has the knowledge and experience necessary to get hazardous chemicals from point A to point B safely.
We have one of the largest carrier networks with more than 15,000 vetted and experienced carriers who have the credentials and expertise to take care of your shipment.
Sources:
Hazardous Materials Safety Permit Program (HMSP) | FMCSA
Dangerous Goods Segregation Table and Principles | ChemSafetyPRO
DOT CHART 15 | DOT
